20 Things You Should Know When Starting Your Sustainable Living Journey

Today, I met one of my long time readers for the first time. His name is George, and works for the same company as I do. By the look on his face, I think he couldn’t believe that he had actually met me in person.

After a hardy handshake, we talked about all the things I have inspired him to begin at his own place. He is beginning a veggie patch and has bought the eco-wood sleepers, and will put it all together soon from what I can gather. George is also part of an environmental panel for Monash City council (hope I got it right) and is very passionate about making a difference. I said that I would be more than happy to give a presentation to the panel if he liked, so I believe he is going to think about it and email me with the details. Nice to meet you George!

George requested that I put together a post full of tips and tricks that I have learned, to help out people just starting out on their sustainable journey. So here goes.

Suburban Food Farm

When installing a rainwater tank, ensure that you add an isolation valve first, before you install a tap. That way, if you decide to add a pressure pump later on, you will not have to drain the tank and lose all of your precious water.

When ordering chickens, make sure you have the coop finished before you get them. It is no good bringing your chooks home to a temporary place, and moving them later, because they get used to the first you house them.

Set earwig/snail traps before you plant your seedlings. Otherwise all of the hard work you put into seed raising is for naught and you have to start all over again.

When making raised garden beds out of red-gum or any other hardwood, ensure that you pre-drill your nail/bolt holes before hand. This will stop your hammer from slipping off of the nail head and slamming into your shin at full pelt! Ouch, and the lump took a week to go down.

When getting a quote for Solar PV, ensure you ask the installer about the cost of the network connection and meter swap-out. These are hidden costs that your installer most often than not will not inform you about.

Make sure your PV installer tells your electricity wholesaler that they have actually connected you to the grid. This communications then starts the paperwork off at the wholesalers end.

When asked by your Solar hot water installer, “Which part of the roof do you want the collector on?”, ask them if they have ever done this sort of thing before! And then tell him to put it on the North (for Southern Hemisphere) or West facing at a pinch.

If your neighbour asks you for help and advice regarding how to build and plant a veggie garden, offer your help freely. When hard times hit, they may save your bacon. You can also swap produce when the harvest comes in.

Make sure that you fence off any garden beds that you do not want your chickens to make a mess of. They will destroy most vegetable plants given half the chance!

When your electrician tells you he doesn’t care about the environment, tell him that he will no longer get your business unless he starts to! He will soon take an interest if you are a good customer! Coercion, I know, but hey it worked.

Take the time to explain to everyone in your family about why the things you are about to do are important to you and the planet BEFORE you start doing things! This way, none of your loved ones will think you are crazy (or having an affair), and you can take them on the journey from the beginning.

Worms do not like onions or citrus. They also do not like cooked food, just kitchen scraps. Give the leftovers to the chooks or your dog/cat/pig.

Chooks love to eat worms. Do not let them near your worm farm. You will regret it! They think all of their Christmases have come at once.

Compost smells if you add too much wet stuff. Add dry stuff in equal proportions. It also gets very hot in an Aerobin!

Cabbage moths detect Brassica by their shape. Plant taller plants near them to confuse the moths.

If you can water garden beds under your water restriction regime, do so. Home gardeners use 10 times less water when growing their crops than commercial vegetable gardeners do!

Mulch well, often, and thickly. A thin mulch achieves nothing. 5 cm or more is the rule of thumb. Otherwise your veggies will dry out on hot summer days.

Visit your library. It is a wonderful source of information. Read as much as you can, or borrow gardening videos/DVD’s. They are all free.

Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. Every journey begins with a single step!

Seek other like-minded people near the beginning of your journey. Share ideas and stories, and it will keep you passionate and inspired. A sense of community is a wonderful thing. Get to know your neighbours. They are the first part of community you should try to begin with.

That’s about all I can remember for now, however I am sure that if I read my entire blog again, I could come up with a few more. If any more come to mind, I will add them to the comments.

George’s parting comment was, “I won’t wash my hand for a week now!” I feel like an A list celebrity (just not as wasteful and I don’t own 6 mansions or have a private jet). Thanks for making my day George, lets catch up for lunch soon and talk some more.

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Comments

How ironic you mention being an A list celebrity! I got recognised at the shops yesterday as Gavins Sister from Greening of Gavin….sheez! Lovely lady rattled on for ages bout how wonderful Gavin’s Secret garden is, and how I should follow in his footsteps… mmm.

Hi George! Welcome to the crazy world of educating others on the effects of climate change! Congratulations on starting your Journey of making a difference to your own little space on the planet. You will bang heads with many but you will also find an inner peace that you never thought you knew about yourself on your journey. The best advice a fellow convertee could give you is listen to like minded peoples advice (yes all of it) and make it work for yourself and your environment and if in doubt…bounce your ideas off others who can more than likely give you an easier and more Eco-friendly way of doing it…. so much for a woman of few words Gav…he hehe.xoxox

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About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

Always inspiring and entertaining!

August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

ms

July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do.
Thanks Gavin, love it!!

Well worth your time to tune in

October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast !
I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to.
Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

very good

June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

opened my eyes

May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

A wonderful show!

Inspiring

April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

Green Living, inspiring and practical

January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

Local food equals less waste

December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

Honestly australian

December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

Morning motivation

December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

Passionate Advocate

October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

Gavin speaks from the heart

October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

Green thoughts, so well iterated

October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

Easy listening inspiration on being green

September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

Thanks Gavin!

August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm

August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

Green Podcasts

July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

Practical ideas and inspiration

July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

Interesting & easy to listen to

April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

Great green listen

April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese